My Cognitive Toolkit

List all the thinking strategies you know: brainstorming, Venn diagrams, pro/con lists, mind maps, the Five Whys.

Which ones do you use most? Which should you practice more?

Identifying which thinking tools you have is a critical thinking skill that separates careful thinkers from careless ones.

Why does this matter?

Identifying which thinking tools you have is a skill that will help you in school, in friendships, and in solving real-world problems. People who master this skill make better decisions and understand the world more clearly.

Here's the process:

Step 1 — Define the challenge. What exactly are you trying to figure out? Being specific about the question is half the battle.

Step 2 — Gather information.

What facts do you have? What might be missing? Not all information is equally useful — focus on what's relevant.

Step 3 — Consider multiple options. Don't stop at your first idea. Challenge yourself to think of at least three alternatives. Often the best answer is one you didn't think of immediately.

Step 4 — Evaluate your options. What are the pros and cons of each? What evidence supports each one?

Which option has the strongest reasoning behind it?

Step 5 — Make your choice and explain your reasoning. "I think ___ because ___" is the formula. Being able to explain your thinking is just as important as getting the right answer.

Step 6 — Reflect. Was your approach effective? What would you do differently next time? This reflection step is how good thinkers become great thinkers.